The rest of the chapters of the Book of Esther
The rest of Esther 13
Chapter XIII · Vol. III, p. 1547
1 The copy of the king's letters to destroy the Jews. 8 The prayer of Mardocheus for them.
1 THE copy of the letters was this: The great king Artaxerxes writeth these things to the princes and governors that are under him from 1India unto Ethiopia, in a hundred and seven and twenty provinces.
1 Esth. 1. 1.
2 After that I became lord 2over many nations, and had dominion over the whole world, not lifted up with presumption of my authority, but carrying myself always with equity and mildness, I purposed to settle my subjects continually in a quiet life, and making my kingdom 3peaceable, and open for passage to the utmost coasts, to renew peace which is desired of all men.
2 Esth. 8. 9.
3 Or, mild.
3 Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass, 4Aman, that excelled in wisdom among us, and was approved for his constant good will and steadfast fidelity, 5and had the honour of the second place in the kingdom,
4 ch. 10. 7. & 12. 6.
5 Esth. 3
4 Declared unto us, that in all nations throughout the world there was scattered 6a certain malicious people, that had laws contrary to all nations, and continually despised the commandments of kings, so as the uniting of our kingdoms, honourably intended by us cannot 7go forward.
6 Esth. 3.
7 Or, be settled.
5 Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually in opposition unto all men, differing in the strange manner of their laws, and evil-affected to our state, 8working all the mischief they can, that our kingdom may not be firmly established:
8 Ps. 120. 3.
6 Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified in writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained over the affairs, and is 9next unto us, shall all with their wives and children be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month *Adar of this present year:
9 Or, second from us ver. 3.
* Esth. 9. 21.
7 That they who of old and now also are malicious, may in one day with violence go into the grave, and so ever hereafter cause our affairs to be well settled, and without trouble.
8 Then Mardocheus †thought upon all the works of the Lord, and made his prayer unto him,
† Ps. 115. 12.
9 Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty: for the whole world ‡is in thy power, and if thou hast appointed to save Israel, there is no man that can gainsay thee:
‡ Dan. 4. 35.
10 For thou hast made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous things under the heaven.
11 Thou art Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist thee, which art the Lord.
12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, ||that 1it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Aman.
|| Esth. 3. 2, 5.
1 See Rom. 9. 2, 3. & 10. 1.
13 For 1I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.
14 But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither will I do it in pride.
15 And now, O Lord God and King, 2spare thy people: for their eyes are upon us to bring us to nought; yea, they desire to destroy the inheritance, that hath been thine from the beginning.
2 Joel 2. 17.
16 Despise not 3the portion which thou hast delivered out of Egypt for thine own self.
3 Deut. 32. 9.
17 Hear my prayer, and be merciful unto thine inheritance: turn our sorrow into joy, that we may live, O Lord, 4and praise thy name: and 5destroy not the mouths of them that praise thee, O Lord.
4 Ps. 118. 17.
5 Or, shut, or, stop not